The multi-million dollar, four-year deal gives CIBC - one of North America's leading financial services companies - sole lead partner status, plus exclusive sponsorship rights.

The deal puts Toronto 2015, which will be the biggest international Games ever held in Canada, on track to meet its sponsorship revenue goal in record time.

"We are extremely pleased by this incredible commitment from CIBC," said Toronto 2015 chairman Roger Garland.

"It is indeed a privilege to have one of Canada's leading financial services companies as our lead corporate sponsor as we present these Games to our city, the province, the country and the world."

The partnership with CIBC will include a national marketing strategy, professional financial resources, legacy scholarships and athlete support, cultural programmes and a proven track record of grassroots engagement.

"We see the Toronto Pan/Parapan American Games as an enormous opportunity for Canada, for Ontario and for the Greater Toronto region," said the President and chief executive of CIBC, Gerald McCaughey.

"We are proud to associate our brand with what will no doubt be a significant event that will inspire a generation of young athletes and be a source of tremendous pride for the communities we serve."

The announcement was made at the 2011 Pan American Games here in Guadalajara, Mexico, which will hand over the Pan American Sports Organisation (PASO) Host City flag to Toronto at the closing ceremony today.

City of Toronto Mayor, Rob Ford, said: "CIBC being named as the lead partner of the Toronto 2015 Games is great news for Toronto.

"This is a great example of public and private organisations working together to ensure the 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games will be a success for our city."

The Pan American Games are the world's second-largest international multi-sport event behind the Olympic Games.

At Toronto 2015, around 8,000 athletes from 41 nations will compete across 37 sports.

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